Detection1st Detect receives U.S. patent for chemical detector
A portable mass spectrometry detector, capable of detecting residues and vapors from explosives, chemical warfare agents, toxic chemicals, food and beverage contamination, illicit drugs and pollution, is awarded U.S. patent
Austin, Texas-based 1st Detect Corporation, a subsidiary of Astrotech Corporation, said yesterday that that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a patent for the company’s method to drive a mass spectrometer ion trap used for chemical detection and identification.
“We are extremely pleased that the USPTO has issued this highly significant patent covering our unique ion trap technology,” said John Porter,the company’s CEO. “We continue to make considerable progress in our development of the 1st Detect Miniature Chemical Detector (MCD) and this patent is an important component of our intellectual property portfolio.”
The patent, entitled “Driving a Mass Spectrometer Ion Trap or Mass Filter,” represents an important technological advantage for 1st Detect.
“The technology protected by this patent supports our objective to offer the most affordable, high performance mass spectrometer for both laboratory and field applications,” added David Rafferty, the inventor of the patent (U.S. 7,973,277) and president of the Company.
1st Detect Corporation has developed the Miniature Chemical Detector, a product that offers lab performance mass spectrometry in a small, portable package. The company says the capabilities of the instrument makes MCD a suitable detection tool for a variety of applications, including security, industrial and healthcare markets.
The company says that Miniature Chemical Detector is capable of detecting residues and vapors from explosives, chemical warfare agents, toxic chemicals, food and beverage contamination, illicit drugs and pollution
